Herd Loses to Ohio University

HUNTINGTON, WV (HNN) - The Ohio University men's basketball team won over host Marshall 65-64 at Cam Henderson Center on Tuesday night before an attendance of 4,205 in a first round game of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT).

By matching the long-time rivals, the game went down to the last minute of play for Ohio to win. Marshall had beaten Ohio on the road 65-57 on Dec. 4 in regular season play.

Ohio took a 50-49 lead with 11:48 left in the game. From that point the lead went back and forth with Marshall leading 64-63 with 1:50 left. A lay-up by Ohio's D.J. Cooper put the Bobcats back on top 65-64 with 1:30 left in the game. Marshall did get some last shots at the basket, but the Herd was unable to connect.

A disappointed Marshall Coach Tom Herrion said, "Our season is over. You can close the book on this one."

Ohio Coach Jim Groce said, "We knew Marshall had improved a lot since we last played them, but we also have improved."

"We did ask for the officials to review the Marshall shot before the first half. We did not think he had time in two seconds to get the ball in and shoot the ball."

Marshall was in the CIT tournament last year beating Western Carolina 90-88 at home in a first round game and then losing to Appalachian State 80-72 at home in a second round game.

Marshall had a 36-32 lead at the intermission. With two seconds left on the clock in the first period Marshall's Andrew Kane made the basket what would have been good for two points. It was first counted, however after review by the officials the shot was not counted.